Other
Spanish Conquistadors
Learn about the history and motives of the famous Spanish Conquistadors in the New World. Features biographies, pictures, and timelines about the life of the famous European Explorers.
BBC
Bbc: History: The Story of the Conquistadors
A well known historian tells the story of the early Spanish explorers known as "conquistadors". He discusses their motivation, what effect they had on the native American societies and much more. Archived.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii
Under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire was strong and expanded its borders. However, when the Spanish arrived, their superior power and weapons enabled them to conquer the Aztecs. Read about Moctezuma's life, his interactions with the Spanish...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Age of Exploration: The Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Lengthy description of the life of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who brought down the Aztec Empire in Mexico. How this came to be is explained, with many details of the sophistication of Aztec civilization.
Other
Spanish Explorers of Texas: Alonzo Alvarez De Pineda
A short biography of the Spanish explorer, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda.
University of South Florida
Floripedia: A Florida Encyclopedia: De Narvaez, Panfilo
Information about the Spanish conquistador, Panfilo de Narvaez, taken from a 1904 book, A History of Florida. The page includes some recall questions interspersed with the original text.
Other
World Statesman: Peru
This site is a complete encyclopedia of Peruvian leaders, beginning with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Also provides detailed chronologies, flags, national anthems, maps and indexes.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors: Aztec Life and Times
Read about what life was like for the Aztecs before the Spanish Conquest. This is part of a larger PBS site about the conquistadors.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors: Aztec Empire
Read about the development of the Aztec Empire and its status just before the Spanish Conquest. Click on the hyperlinks or pictures for more information. From part of an extensive PBS website about the Conquistadors.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Hernando De Soto
A biography of Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto who explored the southern coast of what became the United States. Read about his travels and demise.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Alvarez De Pineda, Alonso
An account of the Spanish expedition led by Alonso Alvarez de Pineda in 1519 that explored the Gulf of Mexico between Florida and Cabo Rojo, Mexico. The explorers tried to establish the Panuco colony but were unsuccessful.
University of South Florida
A Short History of Florida: Ponce De Leon: Florida's First Spanish Explorer
Read about Juan Ponce de Leon, his exploration of Florida, and his fruitless search for the "Fountain of Youth."
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Panfilo De Narvaez
A biography of Panfilo de Narvaez (1470: 1528), a Spanish conquistador and explorer who was famous for the exploration of Cuba and for leading an ill fated expedition to Florida and North America. This site has a Google widget that will...
A&E Television
Biography: Francisco Pizarro
A biography of 16th century Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who traveled with Vasco Nunez de Balboa and helped to discover the Pacific Ocean. Pizarro also conquered Peru and founded the city of Lima there.
A&E Television
Biography: Juan Ponce De Leon
A biography of Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer from the 15th and 16th centuries. He was at one point the governor of Puerto Rico, and is credited with discovering Florida. Ponce de Leon is also remembered for having searched the...
San Jose State University
San Jose State University: Conquest of the Cities of Gold: Europe's Interactions
The arrival of Hernan Cortez in Mexico, his encounters with the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and the Spanish defeat of the Aztecs are described.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Exploration Through the Ages: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo is known for exploring the California coast and claiming the land for Spain, but he did so many other things prior to that.See why Cabrillo wa so important to the Spanish in the New World.Be sure to click on...
A&E Television
Biography: Ferdinand Magellan
A biography on the life and voyages of 16th century Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first to circumnavigate the globe, although he did not survive the journey. Magellan was Portuguese but he commanded a Spanish fleet.
A&E Television
History.com: Ferdinand Magellan
A biography of Ferdinand Magellan, a 16th century Portuguese explorer who travelled with a Spanish fleet, and an account of his voyage around the world, from which he did not return.
Mariners' Museum and Park
The Mariners' Museum: Exploration Through the Ages: Alonso Alvarez De Pineda
Little is known about Alonso Alvarez de Pineda's life except for the last year. Read about his explorations for Spain and his contributions to the Spanish empire.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Hernando Cortes
A biography of Hernando Cortes (or Cortez) (1485 -1547), a Spanish adventurer who conquered what is now central and southern Mexico. His seizure of land, power, and wealth made him the greatest Spanish conqueror in the Americas. His...
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Hernando De Soto
A biography of Hernando De Soto (1500?-1542), a Spanish explorer who led the first European expedition to reach the Mississippi River. His group arrived at the river in 1541 during a search for gold. De Soto also took part in the Spanish...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage Round the World
A recount by a member of the crew of the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan to the Philippines in the 16th century, where he was killed, and of the remaining voyage his crew took in the eastern oceans, then back to Spain.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Juan Ponce De Leon Facts
Covers the life of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer known for leading the first official European expedition to Florida in 1513.